My New Red

I've always struggled to find a red lipstick that I like, either they make me look washed out, they don't suit my skintone, I don't like how they wear or I just don't feel comfortable in them. On a recent trip to Boots I was drawn towards the new L'Oreal Collection Exclusive Pure Reds (£6.99), this collection is similar to their Collection Privee Exclusive Nudes. The range has 4 different reds, all designed to suit different celebrities skin tones, the idea is you choose which skin tone is most similar to yours and that red should be perfect for you.
I picked up Eva's red. My skin is a lot paler than Eva Longoria's, but it's warm toned and to be honest I just loved the look of the lipstick. It's a pure brick red, with a gorgeously matte finish, and I adore it.

I think I'm quite fussy with reds because I'm fairly pale with olive undertones to my skin, I hate reds that aren't matte as well, I can't stand bold lipsticks that fade quickly or go patchy and I don't want to spend too much on reds as I'm never sure if I'm going to like them or not.
The L'Oreal collection caught my eye because I knew they'd be at least one I liked the look of…some of the shades are too pink based or too cool, but Eva's just stood out to me instantly.
The packaging of products is what draws me to them at first, I know you shouldn't judge a product by the packaging but I'm definitely guilty of doing so. The packaging of this lipstick is probably my favourite of all the lipsticks I own, it feels expensive, the lid clicks on so there's no fear of it coming off in your makeup bag and it's also really pretty with Eva's signature on the front.
The bullet is shaped really nicely, meaning it's easy to apply without needing a lipliner, yay for less faffing about when you're in a rush!
The application is perfect, it goes on so smoothly, evenly and doesn't feel sticky, tacky or drying.
The wear is damn good! I put it on at about 5:30pm the other night, I went out, had drinks and even some nibbles and when I checked at about 8:15pm the lipstick still looked almost perfect. The boldness had faded slightly, but it was even and looked pretty great…I'm very impressed! This is probably down to it being a matte formulation, and I also applied it by dabbing it into my lips first, then applying a full on layer….those things definitely help with lipstick longevity.
The colour is beautiful. It's a true red, with no blue or pinky undertones to it. If anything it's a lighter shade of brick red, that I think would suit more or less any skin tone. It's matte, bold, and can be built up or sheered down.

I'd definitely recommend trying one of the four lipsticks out from this range, I think I'm even going to go back and get a second one!

x

Holy Grail High Street/Drugstore Foundation

It's taken me a while to find a high street foundation that I actually love and would repurchase again and again. I've tried quite a few cheaper foundations over the years, and none have impressed me that much, until I tried the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation.

With no makeup (I have redness and spot scarring)

Wearing only Bourjois Healthy Mix

There's quite a lot of hype around this product, but I put off buying it for a while as it is on the pricer side of high street foundations….it's £9.99, which isn't expensive but considering I'd been using the Rimmel foundations which are £4 cheaper it did seem like a leap.
But I took the plunge and bought it back in the Spring, and I'm so glad I did!

I purchased the Healthy Mix foundation in the lightest shade of Light Vanilla, which actually isn't that pale….that's the only complaint I have about this line, the shade range isn't brilliant.
Light Vanilla is slightly yellow toned, which suits my skin as I have olive undertones, and it's light but not so light that it would work on a very pale skinned girl.
The packaging is great. Pump - check, proper lid - check, non-cheap feeling bottle - check. Winner.
The scent is fruity, but not artificial. Healthy Mix is enriched with fruit therapy formulas; apricot for radiance, melon for hydration and apple to 'protect your youth'.
The coverage is medium, in my opinion. I've seen that most people say it's a light coverage, which it can be if it's sheered down, but on me and the way I apply it (with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) definitely gives me enough coverage for everyday wear. The finish it gives is natural, but glowing; not matte but not so dewy that you look sweaty either. I find it particularly great at minimising the appearance of pores and boosting complexion. It doesn't feel at all heavy or sticky on the skin either.
The consistency isn't runny like a quite a few lighter foundations, but it's not thick either. It's very easy to work into the skin, and blends seamlessly.
The wear Bourjois claim is up to 16 hours….who even wears their foundation for that long anyway?! 16 hours wear definitely is not the case on my skin - there's sure signs of fading away during the day, but not enough that it bothers me. By the end of the day (without any touch ups) the foundation is still there, it's just not as strong a coverage. Powdering obviously helps with the longevity.
The skin type Healthy Mix foundation would suit is probably anyone! A friend of mine with oily skin uses this and adores it, I have dry, sensitive skin and I adore it also.

I can't really fault it, and I can't see myself straying from it any time soon. It's a must-have for me!  

Well done, Bourjois.